It took me some time to set up, but it’s finally up and running. To all those buyers who don’t feel like opening an Etsy account or would just rather buying in Euros…
The Afrikana’11 collection is already listed and I’ll be adding new fans and other accessories in the next days.
In case you like something, take advantage of the opening promotion!
Enter the following code on checkout, and you’ll get a 10% discount on your purchase*
* Does not apply to shipping price. Valid until Dec 14, 2011.
Please have a quick look and let me know in case you find any bug. Thank you for being there!
Although I neglected the shop a bit during summer, it doesn’t mean I left my hand fans aside. I joined an Accounting crash course and invested some time on training, which I hope will help me give Olelé a boost.
After some years without paying much attention to figures, it was hard to take the pocket calculator again. Knowing where money comes from and where it goes is crucial though, particularly when expenses grow. I realize looking after an online shop means developing many different skills…


The Sissí brooch, hand painted with love on a wooden disc by Paco Valero. Paco runs – together with Alexandrine Tabeau and María Diez – MeriAlekshPaco, a shop full of brooches, buttons, little monsters and illustrations.

I met this trio in the Etsy Made in Spain Team, the place where many Spanish sellers share information and, at the same time, promote the work of our local artists. Take a look at the group members, you’ll find lots of beautiful creations!
Here you have a sample, a treasury made by María, from De Estraperlo, featuring some of our fellow artisans and designers.
It’s finally arrived!: The article about e-commerce written by Jon Torner for the basque weekly Argia. After interviewing me, Jon contacted Itsaso and Bego, from JositaJosi, who also shared their experiences and their view of running a handmade business: The design, production and promotion of items customers can not actually touch.
“The Internet has paved the way for new business opportunities. Less infrastructure is needed and customers have instant access to what they’re looking for. This does not mean, however, it takes less time and effort to run an e-commerce site than a B&M shop. The difference between those two models is not that big…”
Note: this article is written in basque, I hope to have it translated soon…
It’s finally arrived!: The article about e-commerce written by Jon Torner for the basque weekly Argia. After interviewing me, Jon contacted Itsaso and Bego, from JositaJosi, who also shared their experiences and their view of running a handmade business: The design, production and promotion of items customers can not actually touch.
“The Internet has paved the way for new business opportunities. Less infrastructure is needed and customers have instant access to what they’re looking for. This does not mean, however, it takes less time and effort to run an e-commerce site than a B&M shop. The difference between those two models is not that big…”
Note: this article is written in basque, I hope to have it translated soon…
Now you can find Olelé fans in Sardaana Henke’s Fabric and Handmade Goodness, a small, beautiful shop in Salzburg.
My friend Mar told Sardaana about Olelé and now she carries some of the japanese and african fans, together with lots of unique accessories, delicious fabrics and her own creations. A beautiful shop, isn’t it?
♥ Sardaana Henke – Pfeifergasse, 18 (”Hofmayer Haus”) . 5020 Salzburg (Austria)
Wow, 210 nice comments! A big THANK YOU to all who took part in the giveaway! Thank you for your suggestions and great ideas, links and greetings, they are all welcome! After printing and cutting all your names carefully,

and mixing them up for a while,

The winner is…

Congratulations! I’ll contact you and will ship your prize on monday, as soon as you send me your address : )
Sew, mama, sew!’s Giveaway Day is already here! It’s the first time I participate and I am so excited!
For those who don’t know about it, Giveaway Day is a great event hosted by the Sew, mama, sew! blog. Have a look at the list they are posting today, explore the sites listed and get the chance to win something beautiful! Here at Olelé, I’ll be giving away a pair of fabric covered earrings made by me,

And a bunch of 20 fabric scraps (6″x4″ aprox), perfect for your sewing projects.

All you have to do is leave a comment below. You can just say Hi! or either help me solve a little dilemma I’ve come across after six months of fan-making:
What would you make with scraps like this? (7″x6″ aprox)

I’ll choose the winner at random on Friday 17th at 12 am (CET), and will ship the prize on Monday 20th, anywhere in the world!
Thank you and good luck!
Please double check your email when leaving your comment so I can contact you in case you are the winner.
Note: Comments are closed, thanks for participating and good luck to all!
This fan is a custom order placed by F., who couldn’t find what she was looking for in the shop. We decided the print and staves in a couple of quick emails; It’s been really easy because she knew which colours she wanted: gold and grey. I love the result, I wouldn’t have thought of that combination, and it really works. : ) Now her fan must be somewhere in France, or its way to Scotland. I hope it arrives soon and F. likes it!
It’s been six months since I listed my first hand fan on Etsy. Although I still have a huge to-do list for the next months to come, I have already learnt a lot and grown in experience. Nothing of this could have been possible if I had tried on my own, that’s why I’d like to thank all the people who have, in some way or another, helped Olelé go ahead. To the people who have spread the word and let their friends, family and colleagues know about Olelé. To all my customers who, by purchasing one of my fans, show their love for handmade and encourage the kind trade online. To M, for his patience and invaluable help. To all of you,
